Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment
Social Security Scotland Act 2018 gave new powers to Scotland regarding social security and the administering of social security benefits in Scotland. A series of family payments have been created for parents and carers on low incomes to assist with some of the costs that are incurred with having a child.
The payments offer support from pregnancy right up until your child is of school age.
The payments are grants which means that they do not need to be paid back in the way that a loan does.
This guide will talk you through each of the Best Start grants and discuss both the different payments and qualifying criteria for the individual grants.
What is the Best Start Grant?
The Best Start Grant is a trio of payments created to help towards the cost of being pregnant or looking after a child.
The grant comprises three one-off payments: a Pregnancy and Baby Payment, an Early Learning Payment, and a School Age Payment.
General Criteria for Qualifying for the Best Start Grant Payments
There is a certain qualifying criterion that you must meet to be eligible to claim any of the Best Start Grant Payments.
While each of the Best Start Grant Payments has different qualifying criteria, they all stipulate that you should:
- Live in Scotland
- Either you or your partner receive certain benefits or tax credits
- You or your partner are pregnant or are the main person looking after a baby or child who is the right age for payment.
It should also be noted that you cannot get either Best Start Grant if you only receive Child Benefit.
From the 28th of November those receiving Scottish Child Payment will benefit from a Best Start Auto award for the payments of the Best Start Grant Early Learning and School Age Payments.
This means that you will be automatically assessed for these payments and no longer need to apply.
Early Learning Payment
Social Security Scotland started accepting applications for the Early Learning Payment in April 2019.
In this guide we will discuss the key points of the Early Learning Payment including how the application process works and when you can expect to receive a first payment.
Can I Apply for the Early Learning Payment?
To receive the Early Learning Payment, you will need to meet the following criteria:
- You are responsible for the child or responsible for the child in some other way e.g, adoption
- Your child must be aged between 2 years old and 3 years and 6 months old
- Receive a qualifying benefit
- Apply within the time limit
- Your child does not need to attend nursery
How Can I Apply for the Early Learning Payment?
From the 28th of November 2022 those receiving Scottish Child Payment will benefit from a Best Start Auto award for the payments of the Best Start Grant Early Learning and School Age Payment.
This means that you will be automatically assessed for the payments and no longer need to apply.
Clients will receive a letter from Social Security Scotland advising them if they are reviewing their case for an automatic award of Best Start Grant.
Up until the 28th of November if you are looking to apply for Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment you can apply for any of the grants by either filling out the form online, over the phone or via the post.
To be eligible to apply online you will need to have a permanent address, be over the age of 18, have a bank account and apply for your own application.
If you want to apply via phone, you can call Social Security Scotland for free on: 0800 182 2222.
When applying you should have the following information readily available so that you can complete the application: -
- Your name, date of birth and address
- National Insurance Number
- Bank, Credit Union, or Building Society Account Details
- If you have a partner, their name and date of birth
- Details of any children you have or care for
If you have been asked to send any documents to Social Security Scotland, you can do this by either uploading documents online or sending them in the post.
How Much Is the Early Learning Payment?
The Early Learning Payment is a one-off payment of £294.70 per child and is designed to assist with the cost of early living expenses.
For example, you may wish to spend the payment on toys, transport costs or clothes.
You can receive the Early Learning Payment for multiple children if you apply when each child is at the right age stage when you apply.
What Should I Expect After I Apply?
As of the 28th of November, all clients receiving Scottish Child Payment will automatically be assessed for the payments of Best Start Grant Early Learning and School Age Payments.
If Social Security Scotland decides that you should be awarded the payment you will receive both the payment and determination letter.
What If My Circumstances Change?
If your circumstances change then it is important that you inform Social Security Scotland so that they can update your details and ensure that you do not break the law and in turn receive the right benefits.
Before informing Social Security Scotland of a change in circumstances you will also need to alert HMRC, your local council and the Department of Work and Pensions.
You should get in touch with Social Security Scotland if the following information changes: -
- Your name changes
- Your address changes
- You move house
- You stop getting a benefit
- You’re living circumstances have changed such as a partner no longer living with you
- You’re pregnant
- You’re no longer looking after a child
- You have started to look after a new child
- You’re contact details have changed
You can notify Social Security Scotland of these changes by either completing an online form or by phone on: 0800 182 2222.
You can find more information on the Best Start Foods grant on the mygov.scot website.
